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From: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Multiple Uses Of Sign
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Date: 28 Feb 91 16:04:56 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 > The education of deaf children is largely in the hands
 > of people who have never been deaf one day in their lives
 > and never will be.

Jay, there are many people who become deaf or suffer with a
severe hearing loss in later life.  So, I don't think your
statement is exactly true.

 > Children in so-called "mainstream" classes are isolated

 > even worse, right in the middle of all those hearing kids.
 >  Only 1% of mainstream teachers are themselves deaf.
 > Because these mainstream kids generally go to day classes,
 > once school lets out they go home and sit in front of their
 > television sets.

I think you are grossly misinformed, Jay.  Deaf children are
no different from other children other than the fact they
cannot hear sound.  I feel the reason so many are isolated
(the deaf children) are simply because they have made to
feel they are inferior by attending schools for the deaf and
should only associate with other deaf children.  I've seen
this happen.  I've also seen the "mainstreamed" children
mingle with others and get along quite well.  Children
do not take things seriously like adults often do.

I've noticed the lack of social skills in deaf children who
attend deaf schools more than I have those who are mainstreamed.
Also, our education system is not supposed to teach social
skills, that comes from the home environment and applies to
children who are hearing as much as those with disabilities.

I feel that until we do away with residential schools (except
in dire necessities) the children will never be able to live
independently.  I also feel that is why so many who were not
mainstreamed have problems now living on their own.

We all need to be more realistic and educate ALL in being
more accepting of those with disabilities.  Until we do this,
there will continue to be so much isolation

--
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